Russellville Mayor Bill Eaton has proposed the creation of a Capital Projects Committee to oversee city improvements.

In a proposal submitted by Eaton, the purpose of the committee would be “to review, assess and finalize all major capital improvement projects of the City of Russellville.”

Eaton presented aldermen a memo during the Jan. 7 agenda preparation meeting detailing the purpose for the committee meetings.

“The meeting, a Project Update or Capital Improvements Meeting, will comprise time for the Department Head to advise us of progress on any bid job included as street or drainage construction/improvements, building projects such as the Aquatic Center and Central Fire Station, Parks and/or Airport, etc.

“This will allow for dialog between the Council, myself, and the appropriate Department Head and should keep you more informed about those things that are in progress or soon to be. I do not see this as a means to discount liaison relationships between Council members and Department Heads.”

The committee would consist of all eight aldermen and the mayor. Meetings would be conducted monthly following the Finance Committee and agenda preparation meetings, which take place nine days prior to each month’s city council meeting.

Projects subject to review by the committee include non-personnel, “not often recurring” expenditures greater than $20,000 for construction and renovation projects; land or property acquisition, condemnation or demolition; and asset acquisition.

Expenses more than $20,000 are not subject to review by the committee if they meet one of two criteria:

• Are routine and recurring for ordinary maintenance of city property or obligations for city services; or

• Are for “aesthetic, decorative or superficial designs or graphics associated with or a part of a monetarily larger defined Capital Improvement expenditure.”

The proposal will be voted on during today’s city council meeting as part of annual city organization procedures.